Livestock Slaughter: Beef production down 9%

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.95 billion pounds in September, down 6 percent from the 4.19 billion pounds produced in September 2011.

Beef production, at 2.02 billion pounds, was 9 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.54 million head, down 12 percent from September 2011. The average live weight was up 33 pounds from the previous year, at 1,311 pounds.

Veal production totaled 8.8 million pounds, 17 percent below September a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 64,300 head, down 13 percent from September 2011. The average live weight was down 17 pounds from last year, at 235 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.91 billion pounds, down 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.45 million head, down 2 percent from September 2011. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 271 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.5 million pounds, was up 6 percent from September 2011. Sheep slaughter totaled 174,300 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 145 pounds, up 11 pounds from September a year ago.

January to September 2012 commercial red meat production was 36.6 billion pounds, up slightly from 2011. Accumulated beef production was down 2 percent from last year, veal was down 10 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 4 percent.